First, please you tell us a little about yourself. Where are you from?
I’m originally from
Los Angeles, California. Currently, I live in Northeast Pennsylvania with my
husband and daughter. We moved here about five years ago.
It’s said that authors should write the kind of book they like to read. What is your favourite genre? Who are your favourite authors?
My favorite genre is young adult and
inspirational books. I have to say that I love the classics. I’m a teacher, so
I think that fits pretty well. I love Shakespeare and a lot of the gothic
literature like Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier and Wuthering Heights by Emily
Bronte. As for contemporary literature, I like Amanda Hocking and Paulo Coehlo.
What was the last book you read? Would you recommend it? Why/why not?
The last book I read
was The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne. I would definitely recommend
it. It is a touching book about the holocaust told from the point of view of a
child and is wonderfully written.
What kind of books do you write? Where and when are they set?
I write inspiring books set in both
fantastical worlds and in modern day. I mostly write young adult and new adult,
although I enjoy creative non-fiction as well.
Tell us about your latest book. Who will enjoy it?
Here is a little about my latest book, Winter in the Soul, a Young Adult
Fantasy:
In a world
divided by power and greed, seventeen-year-old Lilika harbors an intense desire
to return to Winter in the Soul, the place her family left to escape the darkness that was manifesting
from a coldness of the soul.
When she meets
Talon, their connection is evident right from the start, and together they
travel through the Black Kingdom to recover Lilika’s stolen locket. And in search of an answer to
the mystery behind Winter in the Soul.
Lilika holds the
key to stopping the darkness from spreading. The fate of their world lies in
her hands. Will she stop the Black Kingdom before its darkness overtakes them all, or will they
succumb to the darkness that is spreading across the land?
Readers who
enjoy books set in a fantastical world with brave heros and epic battles will
enjoy this book. I think both young readers and adults alike will enjoy it.
What was your motivation for writing Winter in the Soul?
I wanted to write a book to inspire
and entertain readers. I love creating worlds very different from modern day
and I think I achieved that pretty successfully in Winter in the Soul. There is no technology in their world and the
characters live pretty simple lives. My motivation also sprang from reading The Alchemist, by Paulo Coehlo, which is
one of my favorite books. I strove to create an allegory with a similar
inspiring message.
Who is your favourite character and why? Do you have anything in common with him/her?
My
favorite character is Lilika, the main character in Winter in the Soul. She’s very tenacious and brave. I’d like to
think that I have that in common with her. When she sets her mind on something,
she goes for it until she achieves her goal. I’m the same way.
Does your novel have an overt faith element?
I would say it is more subtle since it is an
allegory rich with imagery and symbolism. There are faith based themes like the
corruption of greed, the strength of the common man, and the purity of the natural
world. I think readers of all belief systems will enjoy and identify with the
story.
What are you
working on at the moment? What other books do you plan to write? I just
completed a young adult story set in modern day. I also have plans to write an
inspirational non fiction book in the near future. The sequel to Winter in the Soul is also at the top of
my list to write.
What motivated you to start writing?
I’ve written for as long as I can remember. I actually
first started writing poetry when I was a teenager and got published at
seventeen years old in a few literary magazines and book anthologies. I always
knew I wanted to be a writer and have written all my life.
What’s your favourite part of writing a novel? Your least favourite?
My favorite part is
the invention stage when I begin to develop my characters, setting, and plot. I
love that part because I can be as creative as I want to be and really stretch
my imagination. My least favorite part involves the editing process. I know some
writers love this stage, but I prefer the first draft when the stakes are low
and it’s just me and my writing.
What advice do you have for someone seeking to write and publish a novel?
The best piece of
advice I can offer is to never give up. Even if you receive rejections, keep
going. There are countless writers who received many rejections, sometimes
hundreds, before they found success. Rejection is part of the game. Learn to live
with it and keep going anyway.
(I'm not normally a fan of book trailers, but I really liked this one!)
Author Bio:
Website: www.jennifernovotney.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/jennovotney
Facebook: www.facebook.com/jen.novotney
Links:
Add to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20869515-winter-in-the-soul
Anaiah Press: http://www.anaiahpress.com
Giveaway:
includes 5 autographed posters and 5 keychains
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Thanks for having me on your blog! :)
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